1995-2012 U.S. Recreational Boat Accident Database

Michael Morisy filed this request with the Coast Guard of the United States of America.
Tracking #

13-2930
Submitted July 25, 2013
Status
Completed

From: Michael Morisy

Subject: None

None

To Whom It May Concern:

This is a request under the Freedom of Information Act. I hereby request the following records:

A copy of the U.S. Recreational Boat Accident Database for the years 1995-2012.

I also request that, if appropriate, fees be waived as I believe this request is in the public interest. The requested documents will be made available to the general public free of charge as part of the public information service at MuckRock.com, processed by a representative of the news media/press and is made in the process of news gathering and not for commercial usage.

In the event that fees cannot be waived, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.

Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 20 business days, as the statute requires.

Sincerely,

Michael Morisy

From: Tomczuk, Susan M CIV

Subject: None

None

Mr. Morisy,

I am emailing in reference to your FOIA request given by Coast Guard ID 13-2930 for a copy of the Boating Accident Report Database for years 1995-2012. I have the following questions/comments for you:

1) Typically, personally-identifiable information in records such as names, contact information, birth dates, driver's license numbers, social security numbers, badge numbers, and insurance policy numbers is protected from release under the Privacy Act.

2) Usually, there are a number of jurisdictions that do not authorize the release of their records. For instance, in 2012, AK, CA, CT, HI, MI, MS, MO, OR, PA, WA and CNMI did not authorize release of their records. In addition, there are several jurisdictions that do not authorize the release of some information in their records. For instance, Massachusetts prohibited our release of medical information in their records.

Given the information above, are you requesting personally-identifiable information and records/fields that have been protected from release? If so, I will forward your request to the Legal Department. They will make a final determination of whether information may be released.

3) For your information, your request will likely take at least a month to process. Before I can send the database, I must first check with each jurisdiction that submitted information to make sure I have permission to release the set of records, which is a timely procedure. If I need to send the request to Legal, it will take longer.

4) Once assembled, the database will be too large for email (we usually cap out at files over 10MB), so CD-Rom will be the method of transmittal unless you have a file upload service.

5) Every year after our annual statistics report is released, I release a database of all releasable records to interested persons. Would you like me to add you to that distribution list?

Please let me know your responses and any questions.

Sincerely,

From: Tomczuk, Susan M CIV

Subject: None

None

Hi Mr. Morisy,

Unless I'm mistaken, I don't believe I've received your response to my questions. How would you like me to proceed?

From: Michael Morisy

Subject: None

None

Thanks for your help processing this request, and for your follow up.

1, 2) I agree to limit my request to only non-personally-identifiable information, and to information authorized for release by jurisdictions.

3) Thank you for the estimate.

4) CD works well.

5) No thank you.

Thanks again for your help.

From: Tomczuk, Susan M CIV

Subject: None

None

Mr. Morisy,

Thanks for your patience. I mailed out a response today that included the database (>125 MB!), notes and a formal letter.

Please let me know if you have questions.

From: Coast Guard

Subject: None

None

A cover letter granting the request and outlining any exempted materials, if any.

From: Coast Guard

Subject: None

None

A copy of documents responsive to the request.